Preterm Labor: Diagnosis and Treatment

Nasty back pull and a hard stomach? These can be harmless exercise labor pains or premature contractions that open the cervix. How to distinguish between them and what to do in case of emergency, you can read here.

During your pregnancy your uterus is already training hard for the birth. Especially in the last trimester of pregnancy, many women feel slight contractions again and again. The so-called training contractions are completely normal and no reason to worry. Premature contractions, also called opening or early labour, on the other hand, occur regularly and cause the cervix to shorten and the cervix to open. You should then see a doctor or go to hospital as soon as possible, as there is a risk of premature birth.

Signs of premature (preterm) labor

• The contractions occur regularly, i.e. more than three times an hour and over a longer period of time
• Cramps or pulling, as they occur during menstruation
• Feeling of pressure or pain in the pelvis, thighs or groin
• Mild dull back pain or feeling of pressure in the back
• Aqueous, pink or brownish discharge or blood flow from the vagina
• Bowel cramps or diarrhoea

Treating preterm labor

If the contractions start before the 37th week of pregnancy, premature birth may be imminent. Now every day that the baby can still spend in the belly counts in order to come into the world with the best conditions. Therefore, the doctors will try to delay the birth as long as possible.

Treatment options:

• Reduce stress and rest a few days
• Avoid physical exertion
• Much drinking and healthy food
• Magnesium preparations help the uterus to relax again
• Antibiotics, if a bacterial infection is the reason for the contractions
• No sexual intercourse
• Contraceptives
• Cervical Clage/Crush Pessary: Closure or stabilization of the cervix by a thread or silicone ring.

If all this does not help to stop the contractions, you may be admitted to the hospital for a check-up so that you and your baby can be fully monitored.

What if there’s a threat of preterm birth?

If the cervix is already shortened or the cervix is open, premature birth may occur. As long as your amniotic sac has not broken and you and your baby are doing well, people will try to prevent the birth.

To be prepared for the worst-case scenario and to give your baby the best possible start in life, the first thing most pregnant women get is the so-called lung maturation injection – a cortisone treatment designed to accelerate the maturation of the baby’s lungs. They also try to stop the contractions with contraceptive pills.

Don’t worry…

…preterm labor is very rare, but in most cases it’s just a practice contraction. Nevertheless, as always in pregnancy, the following applies: Does something seem strange to you, do you have pain or just a bad gut feeling? Then it is better to go to the doctor and have it clarified before you start worrying unnecessarily.